Measuring and evaluation in community development

Measuring the achievements and effects of community development processes is possible if the measurable and evaluable numerical indicators and qualitative or soft indicators as well as the methods of their measuring and evaluation are laid down in the planning phase of the process and are then examined at the right points of the process. Quantitative indicators relating to attendance sheets and number of events, programmes, etc. are only complements to real achievements and qualitative indicators, which signify change in community development. Possible tools and methods of measuring changes that qualify as genuine achievements in a development process are: interviews, focus group discussion, research, case studies, etc. Internationally applied frameworks dealing with the measuring and evaluation of the achievements of community development work agree that a credible evaluation of the process may only be done with the involvement of the participants, i.e. through a method of participatory assessment.

 
This article based on the following document: Community development methodological guide